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Science Fiction in the News Articles
Related to material in Second Variety
by Philip K. Dick

"The claws were bad enough in the first place - nasty, crawling little death-robots. But when they began to imitate their creators, it was time for the human race to make peace - if it could!"

('Second Variety' by Philip K. Dick)

Science fiction in the News articles describe real-world events that relate to the ideas and inventions in sf novels and movies. Select a news article:

Screamers - PKD's Claws - The Robotic Research Begins
   Research on how sandfish lizards manage to both run and burrow under the sand is being touted as an aid to robotic research. I thought that Philip K. Dick's robots evolved on their own.

Soldiers Learn To Trust Robots
   Can robots be trusted to 'have your back' in urban combat situations? Soldiers are learning about different robotic platforms, and how they can be used in urban combat.

Robotic Underground Munitions
   I think that if you want to destroy enemies in bunkers, you go with claws or robotic earthworms, courtesy of Philip K. Dick and Harry Harrison.

Armed Robots Bad Idea
   Many, but not all, sf writers agree that armed robots are a bad idea. Can you think of exceptions?

'Sandfish' Robot Moves Through Sand
   Take a look at this video of a biomimetic sand-burrowing robot.

Telenoid R1 Uncanny Telepresence Robotics
   Is this the kind of presence that you want to project teletronically?

Evolutionary Robotics To Design Better Robots
   Robots seem to walk better when they evolve the ability to do so.

Coman Bully-Resistant Robot
   'It makes me wonder if we're not seeing the beginning of a new species... The race to come after man.'- Philip K. Dick, 1953.

Self-Burying Robots - What Could Go Wrong?
   'Some of the little claws were learning to hide themselves, burrowing down into the ash...'- Philip K. Dick, 1953

Will Autonomous Systems' Self-Preservation Lead To Dangerous Behavior?
   'This, the new types. The new varieties of claws. We're completely at their mercy, aren't we?'- Philip K. Dick, 1953

Robot Brains Improved By Darwinian Evolution
   'The new species. Evolution. The race to come after man.'- Philip K. Dick, 1953.

Robot Evolution Needs Mass Extinction Events
   'It was small, one of the baby ones.'- Philip K. Dick, 1953.

PUFFER Robots - From Philip K DIck's Second Variety?
   'Across the ground something small and metallic came, flashing in the dull sunlight of midday.' - Philip K. Dick, 1953.

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